Here’s the reaction of Senator Imee Marcos on the exclusion of the EDSA Anniversary in the 2024 holidays
IMEE MARCOS – The senator emphasized that removing the 1986 People Power Revolt anniversary from the 2024 national holiday list wouldn’t change the historical truth of how it ended her father’s dictatorial rule.
She acknowledged that history remains unchanged and can’t be rewritten, responding to claims that her brother, President Marcos, removed February 25 as a public holiday to alter history and soften the image of dictator Ferdinand Marcos. This exclusion was specified in Presidential Proclamation No. 368, which is issued annually by the Office of the President to designate official non-working holidays for the following year.
However, the list still includes Ninoy Aquino Day on August 21, commemorating the assassination of former senator and opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr. Aquino’s killing at the Manila International Airport triggered a three-year period of political and economic crises, leading to the exile of the Marcos family and their associates, which continued until the former President’s death in Hawaii in 1989.
Sen. Imee Marcos expressed uncertainty about whether this exclusion was final or if there would be further announcements because she didn’t fully grasp the discussions on the matter. She suggested that it would be more beneficial if the Palace clarified the situation but pointed out that the day is widely recognized as a national holiday.
According to Inquirer.net, the decision to exclude this day as a holiday has been criticized by martial law survivors and political activists. Opposition lawmaker Rep. Edcel Lagman, who personally experienced the abuses during the martial law years, described President’s Proclamation No. 368 as an “excessive display of power by the second Marcos administration.” He argued that the removal of the annual celebration of February 25 is part of an ongoing effort to distort the truths about the atrocities and repression during the Marcos martial law era.
Related Post: EDSA People Power Anniversary (February 25) Not a Holiday in 2024